The 7 Best Gravel Bikes Under $1000 (Ideal for Beginners) [2023]

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These are the best gravel bikes for under $1000. I selected them based on my in-depth market research, which included evaluating owners’ experiences and reviews.

I also talked with avid gravel bikers and store owners and asked them for tips on choosing a gravel bike.

I discovered that the best gravel bike under $1000 is the State Bicycle 4130 ALL-ROAD grey (also available in brown color). You can customize its wheel size to fit the terrain you want to ride in and the components and accessories like the saddle, pedal type, lock, or water bottle cage. This is the highest level of customizability of all bikes on this list and maybe even on the market (find out more).

Below, you also learn what to expect in the below $1000 price range and much more.

What Are the Best Gravel Bikes Under $1000?

The best gravel bikes under $1000 usually come with mechanical disc brakes, 700c or 650b wheels, additional bottle cage mounts, and are compatible with fenders, racks, and other accessories. Their frames are mostly aluminum or steel and come with 1X or 2X groupsets.

I recommend reading the How to choose a gravel bike section if you are new to gravel riding and don’t know where to start.

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State Bicycle 4130 ALL-ROAD (Best Gravel Bike Under $1000 Overall)

The main benefit of the State Bicycle 4130 ALL-ROAD is its customizability. You can opt for 700c or 650b wheels (learn more about the wheel sizes), bike lock, pedal type, saddle type, and water bottle cage.

So, if you go for the 700c wheels, the bike will be ideal for longer rides that combine sections on the tarmac and light gravel. But don’t worry. It will handle dirt roads as well.

If you rather ride on trails, singletracks, or forest roads, the 650b wheels with knobby tires will provide you with more grip and comfort.

State Bicycle also allows you to buy both wheelsets (700c and 650b). So, you can switch them based on the terrain you plan to ride.

ALL-ROAD is easy to assemble, so you don’t have to worry if you are not a world-class mechanic.

Another good news for beginners is that it uses mechanical disc brakes that are easier to maintain than hydraulic disc brakes (what is the difference?).

It also has a steel frame (learn more about frame materials). Steel frames tend to be very durable and stiff. Unfortunately, they are heavier compared to aluminum or carbon frames.

Although the gear range is limited (1x11spd), you shouldn’t experience a moment when you don’t have enough gears. Thanks to an 11-42T cassette, you can ride flats, hilly routes, and even steep climbs.

Another thing I cannot forget is the accessories compatibility that allows you to attach racks, fenders, and up to 4 water bottles. Thanks to the additional cargo you can attach to the bike, your trips can be really looong.

Overall, this is the best gravel bike for under $1000. It’s suitable for beginners and advanced riders who want to enjoy their trips and bikepacking journeys with a bike they can rely on.

You can learn more in this State Bicycle ALL-ROAD 4130 review.

Diamondback Haanjo 3

Haanjo is a popular line of Diamondback gravel bikes. Haanjo 3 differs from Haanjo 2 and 4 in the components (the higher the number, the higher-end bike).

Haanjo 3 is slightly above the $1000 mark, but I believe it’s worth considering.

That’s because it has similar geometry to endurance road bikes while providing more freedom.

It can run either 700c or 650b wheels and tires, making it highly versatile and able to handle various riding conditions.

You can use it with up to 45mm tires (650b) wheels, so it will easily handle rough terrain.

With the ability to mount multiple water bottles, racks, and bags, the Haanjo 3 is perfect for multi-day bikepacking trips or longer rides.

I don’t like the Sora 2×9 groupset and external cable routing. Tiagra would be a better match, and the external cables under the downtube could be hidden inside.

Marin Nicasio

Fans of steel bikes, be aware! The Marin Nicasio is a nice, simple steel gravel bike with decent components.

It comes with Shimano Claris 2×8spd shifting (11-32T cassette) and 700x30c tires. This combination is ideal for paved roads and light gravel. But not as much for steep terrain like the ALL-ROAD.

Nicasio is ideal for fast rides on the harsh tarmac, dirt and forest roads, or singletracks. Due to the limited tire clearance of 35mm (700c), it’s not suitable for rugged terrain. You will need to use 650b wheel size with wider tires for more adrenaline adventures.

You will appreciate the extra bottle cage mount during longer trips so you won’t run out of water as quickly and mounts of fenders and racks.

The fenders will keep you dry in wet conditions, and the racks extend your storage capacity for trip essentials.

Nicasio is a well-built steel gravel bike from an established bicycle manufacturer.

Poseidon X

Poseidon X is another popular choice of gravel bike under $1000. It is a modern-looking gravel bike ideal for beginners.

It offers 1x10spd shifting. This means you don’t have to worry about the front derailleur that sometimes confuses beginners, and you can fully focus on shifting gears up or down.

The only disadvantage of the 1X shifting is that you won’t have as many gears and the jumps between them are larger than 2X shifting (learn more). So, the selected gear may not fit your preferred cadence.

However, the 11-48T cassette ensures you can ride fast on flats and conquer steep hills.

You can use Poseidon X with included 700c wheels or switch them for 650b to enjoy rougher terrain.

The tire clearance allows you to use up to 1.9″ wide tires. These are perfect if you want to ride singletracks, bumpy or forest roads, and unpaved surfaces.

Another benefit is that you can equip the bike with up to 4 bottle cages (depending on the size of the bike). So, if you plan to go on a long trip, you don’t have to worry about the lack of water.

Poseidon X is compatible with various accessories like fenders or racks, so if you think about some bike packing or bike touring, this is the perfect bike for you.

Check this selection of the best shoes for a gravel bike to maximize your riding comfort. Use them with these gravel bike pedals to improve your riding experience.

Vitus Substance 2

Substance 2 is a part of the Vitus gravel family. These bikes differ in components. The frame remains the same (speaking of the aluminum frames).

Owners praise Vitus’s excellent value for money and build quality.

When you look at Substance 2, it will remind you of endurance road bikes, thanks to their geometry.

It could be categorized as an all-road gravel bike. This means 700c wheels with relatively narrow tires* and a more aggressive geometry than terrain-oriented gravel bikes. And, of course, 2X drivetrain with road bike-like gearing.

*It comes with 40mm tires, but you can replace them with narrower ones.

These features make it perfect for fast-paced rides on the tarmac and light gravel or dirt roads.

However, thanks to wider tire clearance, you can equip it with wider tires and tackle rougher terrains.

The only issue I have is the Microshift groupset with outer cable routing from the shifters. It would be much nicer if the cables were hidden under the bar tape, like on most bikes today.

You may also be interested in the Best Non Cycling Shoes for Cycling.

Trek FX 3 Disc (Gravel Bike Alternative)

As you can see from the picture, this is not a gravel bike. But you can use it as a gravel bike. Let me explain how.

The Trek FX 3 Disc geometry is similar to the geometry of gravel and road bikes. This bike is also equipped with 700c wheels with 32c tires.

This means you can use it in light terrain like gravel, dirt roads, etc. But, the tire clearance will allow you to use even wider tires that handle rougher terrain and bumpy roads.

And, if you replace the flat handlebar with dropped handlebar, boom, you have a ‘gravel bike.’

Trek FX 3 Disc offers 1×10 (11-46T) gears. This variety is good for flats, hills, and steep climbs. So you won’t have to be afraid that you won’t be able to go up a steeper hill because of hard gear.

This is the biggest change between this year’s bike and last year’s FX 3 Disc. Previously, the gearing was more suitable for commuting than riding in terrain.

The handlebars are straight and not dropped. So your riding position will be more upright. This means more comfortable but less aggressive and aerodynamic.

The fork is made of carbon which helps with absorbing vibrations and making the ride even more comfortable.

You may also appreciate the inbuilt speed sensor, which you can connect with your smartphone or head unit to track your ride progress.

To wrap this up, Trek FX 3 Disc is a perfect alternative to gravel bikes for under $1000 that will easily handle paved roads and light terrain.

You may also be interested in the Best Gravel Bikes Under $1500 and Best Hybrid Bikes Under $1000.

Triban GRVL120

Decathlon’s in-house designed Triban GRVL120 offers everything a beginner gravel rider may need and also something extra.

The highlights of this bike are the carbon fork that can absorb minor vibrations, a lifetime warranty on the frame, stem, handlebar, and a quality aluminum frame.

The main disadvantage is probably the groupset from Microshift that has only 1x10spd. But thanks to the 11-42T cassette, I am sure you will tackle many terrains.

Its geometry is pretty relaxed, so your ride will be pretty comfy. Just adjust your saddle height, position, and handlebar as needed.

GRVL120 is suitable for light terrain because it has tire clearance limited to 38mm tires. This suggests that it can be swift with narrower tires.

You will also appreciate the included accessories like the rear and front lights, which will increase your visibility and a bell for alerting pedestrians.

The bike is easy to assemble, and overall, it offers great value for the money.

My Verdict

It was not easy to find and pick the best gravel bikes under $1000. However, the State Bicycle 4130 ALL-ROAD (also available in brown) is the best overall. Let me explain why.

It has a frame made of steel which is stiff and durable, so you don’t have to be afraid that it will crack after a crash.

This bike is perfect for long trips in various terrains depending on the size of wheels and tires you opt-in (700c or 650b).

You can also attach up to 4 water bottle cages to the bike. Thanks to this water supply, you can ride even to remote areas with difficult access to drinking water.

Of course, you can attach additional accessories to this bike, like fenders, racks, etc., for additional cargo that will support you on your trip.

Overall, the 4130 All-Road is a well-equipped bike for a fair price. Is this going to be your next gravel bike?

How to Choose a Gravel Bike?

Gravel bikes (also called Adventure bikes) are available in various options. However, orienting yourself in them can be overwhelming if you are a beginner.

The following part explains what you should be aware of when buying a gravel bike for under $1000 and what you can expect in this price range. It’s a shortened version of my fully dedicated guide to gravel bikes.

Frame Material

Check out this article on bike frame materials to learn more about their pros & cons.

Gravel bikes under $1000 are mostly made of aluminum. You may be able to find some steel gravel bikes at this price range but don’t expect carbon frames. Carbon gravel bikes start at around $2000.

Groupset

Gravel bikes use either 1X or 2X. There are models with 3X shifting as well.

1X shifting (1 chainring) offers fewer gears. This means that the differences between the individual gears are larger than 2X shifting. Additionally, 1X groupsets usually have gears better suited for steep climbs.

Thanks to its simplicity, 1X shifting is ideal for beginners because they can only focus on one rear shifting.

The weight of 1X shifting is lower than 2X shifting, thanks to fewer parts. So you can take advantage of the lower overall bike weight during long climbs to save some energy.

2X shifting (2 chainrings) offers a wider gear range. You can choose a gear that suits you the best based on the terrain and your preferred cadence.

The downside of the 2X shifting is that it is more prone to failure or other damage due to many parts and things that can go wrong. The same also applies to 3X shifting.

Companies like Shimano or SRAM usually supply the groupsets, but you may also find other, less-known manufacturers like MicroShift, or custom groupsets by the bike manufacturers themselves.

In the below $1000 price range, expect groupsets like Shimano Sora, Shimano Claris, Shimano Tiagra, SRAM Apex, MicroShift Advent X, etc.

Wheels

Gravel bikes use 700c or 650b wheels.

700c wheels are bigger and use narrower tires compared to 650b wheels. This makes them better for light terrain and paved surfaces like tarmac. According to La Velocita, 700c wheels combine the best weight, grip, and rolling resistance ratio.

They are better for longer rides because they allow you to cover large distances without spending as much energy as with 650b wheels and wider, knobby tires.

650b wheels are smaller but use wider tires. They are perfect for rougher terrain like bumpy roads, mud, forest roads, single tracks, etc. Thanks to their grip, you can ride through these terrains with ease.

This wheel size also tends to be more comfortable thanks to wider tires that absorb bumps and other vibrations better. (Source)

So, choose the wheel size based on the terrain you would like to ride in. Gravel bikes under $1000 are available with both wheel sizes.

Brakes

Mechanical disc brakes are used on most lower-end gravel bikes. The hydraulic disc brakes are more complex and thus more expensive. So, you won’t find them on gravel bikes under $1000.

Accessories Compatibility

Another thing you should consider is the bike’s compatibility with other bike accessories.

If you plan to ride long distances, you will need to attach them to your bike to store clothes, food, tools, bike lock, or other things.

Gravel bikes usually allow you to attach more than 2 bottle cages, bike racks, handlebar bags, frame bags, saddle bags, etc.

Check the following video to learn more about the things to pack with you on a trip, or the Exploring Wild website for more tips.

Bike Size

Once you decide what gravel bike to buy, you must choose its correct size.

That’s why online retailers often publish bike size charts to pick the bike size based on your height, inseam length, and other body dimensions. Luckily, tools like Bikeinsights will help you with comparing bike geometries.

Feel free to read my other article explaining how to choose a gravel bike size. It also contains a bike size calculator to calculate the correct gravel bike size.

Gravel Bikes FAQ

This post is regularly updated to provide the most up-to-date product tips. If you find a product that is not up to date, please, contact me.